Remembering the seasonal wardrobe flip
For many newcomers and established families alike, a big part of Canada’s appeal is its four seasons. These offer changing landscapes, temperatures, climate, and, not to mention, challenges. The intensity and duration of the seasons vary across the country and even across our region.
Each year, usually around Easter, our thoughts turn to spring. I blame the crocuses for my hurry to get out the patio furniture. I have lived here long enough to know that Mother Nature is quite a tease, but not long enough to forget about “Ontario Springs.”
Back home, every year, at some point during the Easter weekend, I would do what my sister and I referred to as the “seasonal wardrobe flip.” In the St. Lawrence Valley region, that was about the right time to put away the winter coats, boots, heavy sweaters, and gloves.
When I moved here, I did the same things – only once.
My first spring here, I did what I did every Easter weekend in Ontario - haul the winter clothes to the basement and get out the fun summer wardrobe.
As a meteorologist, I was well aware of the weather patterns and the cool ocean breezes. However, I was not prepared for how icy an east wind off the North Atlantic could be, when you’re at the waterfront with friends and you’re the only one without a coat.
I’ve lived here almost 23 years now, and the “seasonal wardrobe flip” is more of a slow seasonal switchover.
I’ve always known that spring and fall were shoulder seasons – seasons between the peaks of summer heat and winter cold, but I didn’t realize how big these Atlantic Canadians’ shoulders
would be!
DID YOU KNOW?
The expression “shoulder season” comes from a wardrobe choice.
In spring and fall, when it’s too hot for a coat and too cool for
a t-shirt, many would reach for a scarf, shawl, or wrap to keep their shoulders warm.
I wish you a happy and relatively short shoulder season.